Faux Poco

2012-02-29T12:31:00.000-08:00

I am sooo proud of Faux Poco Sara Lopez. She just debuted her first collection at the University of MN senior show entitled "Twelve". Read all about her in this great article by The Goldstein Museum.

Unfortunately for us Sara is moving on and her studio will be up for grabs in May. Are you our next All Star? Email us at luci@fauxpoco.com

NO DANCING 1990-97

2012-02-06T12:06:00.000-08:00

If you happen to be near the intersection of chicago avenue and lake street in the near future (until the end of february) you should check out a window installation that studio member Sarah Ann installed with Chris Hontos, another local artist. Its on the west side of chicago avenue in a small space called the shoebox gallery. Its visible both day and night, but best at night. They're calling it "NO DANCING 1990-97." The installation is a site specific misguided protest that presents an outmoded belief from an earlier time. It even has a couple of write ups! One in the TC Daily Planet / Arts Orbit blog and another in fellow studio member Andy Sturdevant's article in MinnPost, A Stroll With Andy Sturdevant, Part 2.

2012-01-31T09:01:00.000-08:00

This morning, my room mate and I read this article by Poco Andy Sturdevant, about what could be the most beloved piece of art in the Twin Cities. A daunting subject for sure, and we were cringing at the most common possibilities. But of course Andy would never pick something just to please the masses and we were thrilled by his choice. Read the article.

http://www.mnartists.org/article.do?rid=306001

2012-01-31T08:50:00.000-08:00

Another Poco will also be participating in the Art Shanty festivities this weekend! Torey Bonar is hosting a shanty inspired fashion show, you know, the kind with snowsuits and ear muffs and big hefty boots… Join me at Medicine Lake at 1pm on Saturday!

http://www.facebook.com/events/357097264301684/

2012-01-27T09:04:00.000-08:00

There are only 2 more weekends to see the Art Shanties on Medicine Lake! The Basketball Shanty team built their locker room themed shanty in the FP studios. You can read about it below and check out the shanty site for more information.

Basketball Shanty Sarah Baker, Beth Chekola, Jess Hirsch, Eamonn McClain, Sam Hoolihan
Basketball is a winter sport, but has yet to engage with the seasonal surroundings of a Minnesota winter. The basketball shanty brings a visceral regulation size court to the ice and provides a locker room warming hut to investigate the inner workings of locker room dynamics. Basketball Shanty serves as a platform for public interaction both on the ice through games, halftime performances by Body Troupe, re-enactments of Teen Wolf, and pep rallies with live marching bands, as well as in the locker room through motivational pep talks by various artists, game plans, towel snapping, team photos, and trophy displays.
http://www.bballshanty.blogspot.com/

2011-12-15T10:14:00.001-08:00

This Saturday December 17th, is the 4th Annual Monster Drawing Rally at Midway Contemporary Arts! Pocos Broc Blegen and Sarah Ann Baker, and former members Jehra Patrick and Kate Farstad, are participating. Interested in going? check out more information here

http://blogs.walkerart.org/mnartists/2011/12/04/monster-drawing-rally-iv-approaches/

2011-12-15T10:05:00.000-08:00

Time for a little endorsment… If you're interested in taking a creative (and useful) class this spring, I recommend Willie Willette's Building Contemporary Furniture at MCAD. Follow the link below for more information and to register.

http://mcad.edu/continuing-education/sculpture-and-furniture/building-contemporary-furniture-spring-2012

Willette's Melissa Chair

2011-11-28T11:19:00.001-08:00

Want to learn more about one of our members? Here is the link to an article written about Broc Blegen, great guy and impressive artist.

http://blogs.citypages.com/dressingroom/2011/11/broc_blegens_go.php

2011-11-27T12:54:00.001-08:00

Hey Everyone! Click here!

Our member Claire is leaving and would like to sell some of her studio furniture. Below is her purposed pricing, but she's willing to negotiate! Contact her here: clairegoebel@gmail.com

Red couch and chair - $50 a piece or $75 for the set
2 Blue wooden folding chairs - $15 a piece
Blue lounge chair $25 or best offer
Pallet coffee table (on rolling casters) $25
Vintage school pull down map - $85

2011-11-25T12:42:00.001-08:00

I'd like to say hello to our newest member Andy Sturdevant (seen here playing an "electric" guitar in his new space.) Check out his work here http://www.andysturdevant.com/

2011-11-19T11:36:00.001-08:00

Some recent press we are rather grateful for.

This awesome list by Scott Stulen, of MNartists and the Walker Art Center
Thirty Things to be Thankful for (as a Minnesota Artist)
#27: New galleries and projects like Tarnish and Gold, XY&Z, Faux Poco, They wont find us here, and Hopsack Painting Co.
Check out the rest of the list here http://bit.ly/u1SOG0.
My favorites are #2 and #7. Though I am proud to have Hopsack Painting Co. as a member of Faux Poco and to be good friends with the ladies at Tarnish and Gold.

and this really kind mention by the amazing Emma Berg in her recent Vita.mn article
Q: So what youngsters are you excited about?
A: There is a lot of talent out there. I'm excited about Faux Poco [an artist-run studio space in St. Paul] and the talent they have involved. I'm excited by the recent street art by 11th Wunder and Hottea. I also am eager to see what changes occur with Emily Blanche coming in as the new director of MNfashion.

Check out the rest of the article here http://www.vita.mn/story.php?id=133908173

2011-11-11T19:53:00.001-08:00

Torey Bonar is showcasing some new drawings at the AZ Gallery. check them out! The whole show was beautifully curated and her hare drawings would make a perfect addition to any abode... seriously, I love them.

http://theazgallery.org/2011/10/art-brawlnovember-show/

2011-10-31T11:11:00.000-07:00

Faux Poco is expanding (just a little bit). We have room for one more Poco! Is it you? Email us at info@fauxpoco.com with information on you as an artist, the work you create, what you require to complete your work, etc. We'd love to meet you!

In the Studio with Luci Kandler by Kelsey Johnston

2011-09-29T13:49:00.000-07:00

Co-founder (they forgot the "Co" part so let's just be clear about that ;) Luci Kandler got the opportunity to talk with the wonderful Kelsey Johnston. Kelsey runs a blog called "In the Studio" and stopped by during Ben Garthus's cart building workshop and got a chance to see what Faux Poco is all about!

http://metromag.com/blog/arts/design/studio-luci-kandler

p.s. most of the print seen in this interview will soon be available under Luci's new label Ogge & Otillia. You can also get the first look at the new collection, in collaboration with Nelle Handbags at Maiden Minnesota.

Faux Poco on MPR

2011-09-02T09:41:00.000-07:00

Gettin' Some PR on MPR!

We were really happy to talk with Chris Roberts and had a great conversation.

My favorite question: "Why are the two of you doing this?"

Answer: "Why wouldn't we! We have the opportunity to help fellow artists, be surrounded by incredible people, and work in a facility that allows us to easily and affordably create our own projects."

...by the end of our conversation, Chris had caught the Faux Poco bug too. He called it a "dream factory" and that's exactly how we feel about it.

Check it out:

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2011/08/23/emerging-artists-affordable-home-faux-poco/

-Managing Director

Luci Kandler

Works Progress at the State Fair

2011-09-02T09:29:00.001-07:00

Hey everyone! We've been helping Works Progress make their Neighbor Makers for the State Fair. They are SUPER cool and I invite everyone to check it out TOMORROW from 10am to 2pm around Carousel Park.
What are Neighbor Makers you ask? They are wearable conversation tables that need 2-6 people to stand... which creates a mini neighborhood. See you there!

Check it out

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=155727354509008

Broc Blegen's Hopsack Paint Company

2011-08-27T21:07:00.000-07:00

Giving a shout out to Faux Pocoian, Broc Blegen, for his inventive and original Hopsack Paint Company.

Here's a little bit about it...

"Hopsack Painting Co. uses the same tools and materials as traditional painting companies, except it employs them in creative ways! Rather than painting a smooth and uniform wall, our employs are local artists and painters who specialize in making interesting abstract compositions. We believe our company will provide you with an interesting wall that you will enjoy looking at for years to come!"

Check it out here!

http://hopsackpaintingco.tumblr.com/#about

Photos from cart building

2011-08-01T16:52:00.000-07:00

Last night of cart building 6-10pm! Check out these photos from our first instruction class! I'll be posting a few videos soon.

Photos courtesy of Kelsey Johnston

A Graceful Farewell Tonight!!!

2011-07-30T11:13:00.000-07:00

Two members of Faux Poco, Katelyn Reece Farstad and Brett Gustafson, will be packing up their things and moving out. But before they go, there will be a one night showing of works created during their time at Faux Poco. There will also be a few fresh collaborative paintings and assemblages from the two.

Fellow Faux Pocoan, Sarah Ann Baker, will also be celebrating being born on the 30th of July, 7-11pm.

Bro Jobs will be providing gourmet grilled snacks for the evening.

So please, come, say hello, eat, drink, say see you later.

Congratulations Torey Bonar and Broc Blegen

2011-07-20T16:28:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Torey Bonar and Broc Blegen for admittance into the U of MN, juried BFA show at the Katherine E. Nash Gallery.

Check it out!
http://nash.umn.edu/events/

Ben Garthus presents Intro to Shopping Carts

2011-07-15T18:28:00.000-07:00

Get ready for the first workshop hosted by Faux Poco! It's being held by Ben Garthus in collaboration with Shanai Matteson and Colin Kloecker of Works Progress (in conjunction with the Walker). We are extremely excited to work with Works Progress on this, I really respect and admire their previous projects and this one sounds amazing!

WORKSHOP: Intro to Shopping Carts
w/ artist Ben Garthus

Shopping is a simultaneously public and private activity. It's hard to find public spaces with more people than those in private big box stores and shopping malls. That being said, this activity is also very solitary and prescribed. People don't generally interact with each other in retail spaces. The shopping cart project will attempt to change the feeling of this closed environment to that of spectacle and celebration. We will use the spectacle of multiple unique handmade carts to create the festive environment of parade. Since customers are allowed to bring there own carts, strollers, or baskets into most stores, we will work within this set of rules and explore what is possible. The only rule is that the cart shouldn't be bigger than a normal cart's footprint. Once our carts are built we will gather for a shopping rally.

This workshop will offer participants a chance to design and fabricate their own unique shopping cart, basket, or other shopping vessel. Anything goes, It will also be an introduction to working with materials and tools in a stuido/shop environment. We will be working at Faux Poco, a new artist-run studio space in the Midway area of St. Paul. Artists who are experienced with a variety of tools will provide instruction and assistance, and we will work together to realize each of our own visions for our shopping carts.

What?
A design + build workshop for artists, who will each design and create their own shopping cart.

Where?
Faux Poco, 558 Vandalia Street, St. Paul (between University & I94 on Vandalia)

When?
Design/Planning Meeting + Tour of Faux Poco: Weds. July 20th @7-9PM *Please bring $15 for Open Studio*
Cart Building Open Studio: Sun. July 24th 5 - 10PM & Monday July 25th 12 - 10PM

Cost?
We are asking each participant to contribute $15 to help cover studio time and to pay facilitating artists. You will be responsible for purchasing or gleaning your own materials, though we will provide a heaping helping of scrap and recycled wood and other random supplies.

Other Details?
You need not be an experienced fabricator, the carts will take all shapes and will made of various materials. Experienced artists will be on hand to instruct and assist with use of shop tools. We will begin by brainstorming designs together and there will be 4 days for you to refine your design and gather materials, so no need to have an idea in mind for the first meeting. Come to see Faux Poco and check it out!

To participate, or if you have any questions, please RSVP by Tuesday, July 19th, by sending a message with your contact info to hello@worksprogress.org Thanks and hope to see you there!

1001 Chairs

2011-07-10T16:38:00.000-07:00

In celebration of Ai Weiwei's release, the Walker Art Center is having an event inspired by his Fairytale: 1001 Qing Dynasty Wooden Chairs, and we plan to participate! On Tuesday, July 12th, from 8am-6pm, they are inviting everyone to drop off a chair at the Open Field, let's help them make it to 1001!
Luci Kandler will be dropping off her fist piece of woodwork, a chair she made in Willie Willet's MCAD class this spring. Here's a picture of the print she designed inspired by Weiwei's work.

To participate, check out the event's facebook link below.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=157872407616637&notif_t=event_name_change

Exposure Unit

2011-07-10T16:34:00.000-07:00

Our Guy MR. Rose, took this great picture to showcase our huge exposure unit. The exposure room is one of my favorite places in faux poco. Not just because it helps me out the most, but also because Miles did such a spectacular job refurbishing it from a rather gross bathroom into a retro looking darkroom.

Studio Available!

2011-07-07T08:59:00.000-07:00

Hello!

I'm Kate Farstad's studio at Faux Poco. Next month Kate is checking out, and i'm going to get pretty lonely without her creative energy bouncing off my walls. So I'm looking for a new artistic type to keep me company. My neighboring studios are filled with painters, sculptors, apparel designers, textile designers, furniture refurbishers, galore! And if I don't find an occupant I'm quickly going to become the not-so-cool kid on the block. If you're interested, drop Miles or Luci a line at info@fauxpoco.com

Sincerely,

KFS

Look who stopped by: Anya Bormes

2011-06-27T21:29:00.000-07:00

at faux poco, we tend to get visitors, and they tend to be rather awesome. so we decided to dedicate a little time to documenting our guests and their visits.

Today at faux poco, the delightful and super talented Anya Bormes came in.
She was stopping by to see a new (totally mind blowing) film for a carbon print, to be completed with Miles Mendenhall's help. She checked it out and reminded herself, "shit, I'm so excited to print this." We were all super excited too (and hoping to get a print of it for the space, I might add)

2011-06-27T21:07:00.000-07:00

HELLO.

WELCOME TO FAUX POCO BLOG